British Challenger 2 Tanks Being Used by Ukrainian Forces Inside Russia

The UK says Ukraine can use British-provided weapons inside Ukraine

Ukrainian troops have been using British Challenger 2 tanks inside Russia as part of the offensive in the Kursk Oblast, Sky News reported on Thursday.

The report came a day after the UK Defense Ministry confirmed that Ukraine was allowed to use British weapons inside the Russian mainland.

Former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that he gave Ukraine permission to use British-provided weapons inside Russia during his time in office. He said the only exception was for the Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 155 miles.

The use of British and other NATO-provided weapons inside Russia marks a significant escalation of the proxy war. Earlier this year, Moscow warned that Russian forces could target British military installations in response to British weapons being used in attacks on Russian territory.

Military situation in Kursk on August 15, 2024 (SouthFront.press)

“Any British military facilities and equipment on the territory of Ukraine and beyond could be a response to Ukrainian strikes with the use of British weapons on the territory of Russia,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in May.

The US is also allowing Ukraine to use its weapons in the Kursk offensive. President Biden gave Ukraine the greenlight to strike Russian territory with US weapons at the end of May following Russia’s renewed assault on Kharkiv.

The US maintains that Ukraine cannot use US weapons for “long-range” strikes, but it hasn’t defined a limit. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi claimed on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had penetrated 21 miles into Russian territory.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.